Carlos Carrasco (13-11, 3.62 ERA), seeking his 200th strikeout of the season, gets the start for the Cleveland Indians (75-76) as they meet Edinson Volquez (13-8, 3.62 ERA) and the Kansas City Royals (89-63) in the first of a three-game series at Ewing M. Kauffman Stadium. The game gets underway at 8:10 p.m. ET on Friday, Sep. 25 and will air on STOh and FSKC.
In his last start, Volquez pitched 6.0 innings, allowing three runs, striking out six and walking four in a 6-5 loss to the Tigers. Lorenzo Cain (.307, 98 Rs, 16 HRs, 71 RBIs, 28 SBs) played well again yesterday, going 2 for 5 with one run and two RBIs. The Indians were unsuccessful to the White Sox 4-3 the last time Carrasco pitched. He went 5.0 innings, allowing two runs (one unearned), striking out nine and walking two. Francisco Lindor (.321, 46 Rs, 10 HRs, 44 RBIs, 8 SBs) has been hitting the ball well for the Indians, going 3 for 5 yesterday with two runs.
Kansas City, a -125 favorite, will look to capitalize at home against Cleveland. The Over/Under (O/U) for the matchup is set at seven runs. The Royals have a winning record of 54-35 when playing as the favorite and an overall money line of +1,648. They have performed well against their division to earn an SU record of 38-29 and a 24-19 record when they were the favorite. They have been a terror on the base paths, ranking fifth in all of baseball with 99 steals. Turning to the pitching staff, the Royals rank fifth in the AL in ERA with a 3.80 team average.
On the other side, the Indians have a record of 24-29 when they are the underdog and are -1,504 overall with the money line. Against divisional foes, they are 28-39 SU and 10-10 as the underdog. The Indians average 3.3 walks per game, making them one of the most disciplined teams in the AL. The Indians are the top AL pitching staff on the road, essentially shutting down opponents to the tune of three runs allowed per away game. They have a WHIP of 1.20, fifth best in the MLB.
The Royals have mostly come out on top against the Indians in their previous 16 games this season, earning a 9-7 record. This game will feature Carrasco (RHP) on the mound against the Royals, who have a 61-37 record when they take on a right-handed starter. The right-handed Volquez will take the mound against the Indians, who have a 52-46 record against righty starters this season.
Predictions: SU Winner – KC, O/U – Over
Notes
Cleveland has won 52% (27-25) of its games when leading after 7 innings. However, Kansas City has won 62% (36-22) of its games when taking a late lead.
The Indians are coming into this game after allowing one walk during their last outing. The Royals have a 24-28 record when opponents give up that many walks or fewer.
When they outhit their opponents, the Indians are 63-13. The Royals have a 70-8 record when outhitting opponents.
Ranking 20th, Cleveland sits in the bottom half of the league in runs, scoring 626 this season. Kansas City ranks in the top five at fifth with 689.
Ranking 29th, Kansas City is near the bottom of the league in walks, notching 354 this season. Cleveland ranks in the top five at fifth with 507.
The Royals are 62-29 when they hit at least one home run. The Indians perform similarly when they hit one or more homers with a 56-30 record.
